Cork 0-20 Limerick 1-16
Cork's Brian Hayes struck an injury-time winner at the expense of Limerick in Group B of the Co-Op Superstores Munster Senior Hurling League at Páirc Uí Rinn on Sunday afternoon.
Cork laid down an early marker ahead of next month’s meeting with the Shannonsiders in the opening round of this year’s National Hurling League.
In terms of early season progress, Pat Ryan’s side is through to a Co-Op Superstores Munster Hurling League final following their recent victory over Kerry.
The Rebels led by a point at the conclusion of an even first half. Conor Lehane and David Reidy exchanged frees during a fractious opening period. The home team enjoyed a purple patch as Lehane, Brian O’Sullivan and Conor Cahalane efforts made it 0-4 to 0-1 after 13 minutes.
Limerick were slow to settle but a Shane O’Brien point preceded a long delivery from midfielder Darragh O’Donovan that ended up in the back of Cork goalkeeper Patrick Collin’s net.
Creditably, Pat Ryan’s side responded positively to that setback. Cormac Beausang, Brian Hayes, Conor Lehane and Luke Meade fired over four consecutive points to edge the Rebels back in front, 0-8 to 1-2.
A lively half’s tempo increased heading towards the break as the All-Ireland champions warmed to their task. Aidan O’Connor and Shane O’Brien split the posts before a third David Reidy free levelled matters once again.
Beausang and Lehane continued to shine for Cork and added a couple of points prior to Aidan O’Connor landing a beauty from wide on the left. David Reidy (free) and Conor Lehane concluded the first half scoring to leave Cork 0-11 to 1-7 in front.
David Reidy (two) and Conor Lehane (two) each raised white flags at either end from frees to begin the second period. A scrappy spell produced little in the way of free-flowing hurling as another Reidy placed ball made it 0-13 to 1-10 after 40 minutes.
Reidy continued to punish any Cork defensive indiscretion as Limerick built a 1-14 to 0-13 lead thanks to a brace of frees plus Oisin O’Reilly and Barry Murphy scores.
The Rebels’ attempts to conjure up a goal were repeatedly thwarted by the visitors’ full-back line until Shane Barrett wriggled free to leave a goal between the sides heading into the closing stages.
A converted Conor Lehane free made it a two-point game after 55 minutes. David Reidy’s ninth converted free kept Limerick on the front foot as Brian Hayes had a goal attempt blocked and Lehane landed a 65’ to setup an intruiging finale.
Not even a succession of late substitutions could stop Cork’s momentum as Lehane twice split the posts to level it up, 0-18 to 1-15.
That was substitute Conor O’Grady’s cue to restore Limerick’s lead although Cork responded with another Lehane free tying the score for a ninth time.
A draw looked likely until Brian Hayes evaded a couple of challenges deep into injury-time to win it, 0-20 to 1-16, much to the delight of the home crowd.
Cork: Patrick Collins; Conor O’Callaghan, Rob Downey, Sean O’Donoghue (captain); Cathal Cormack, Ciarán Joyce, Cormac O’Brien; Tommy O’Connell, Brian O’Sullivan (0-1); Conor Cahalane (0-1), Conor Lehane (0-12, 0-7 frees, 0-1 65’), Luke Meade (0-1); Cormac Beausang (0-2,), Brian Hayes (0-2), Shane Barrett (0-1).
Subs used: Sam Quirke for Brian O’Sullivan (h/t), Brian Roche for Luke Meade (52), Patrick Horgan for Conor Cahalane (52), Declan Dalton for Shane Barrett (57), Colin Walsh for Tommy O’Connell (62), Eoin Downey for Sam Quirke (64, inj).
Limerick: David McCarthy; Fergal O’Connor, Richie English, Aaron Costello; Mark Quinlan, Dan Morrissey (captain), Ciaran Barry; Darragh O’Donovan (1-0), Robbie Hanley; Aidan O’Connor (0-2), David Reidy (0-9, 0-9 frees), Tom Morrissey; Shane O’Brien (0-2), Barry Murphy (0-1), Oisin O’Reilly (0-1).
Subs used: Rory Duff for Robbie Hanley (53), Michael Houlihan for Aidan O’Conor (53), Ronan Connolly for Ciaran Barry (57), Jimmy Quilty for Fergal O’Connor (62), D O’Connell for Oisin O’Reilly (62), Connor O’Grady (0-1) for Darragh O’Donovan (64).
Referee: Joe Mullins (Clare).
Elsewhere in the competition, Aidan McCarthy spearheaded a Clare recovery as the Banner hit 1-17 in the second half of their contest with Waterford to earn a two-point victory at Cusack Park.
Frank Lohan's side looked long odds to record their first win of 2023 at the interval as their number of wides (10) outweighed their points (7).
In a lacklustre opening half, a Stephen Bennett was the main score as the Deise held a 1-08 to 0-07 lead.
Upon the resumption however the home side had the bit between their teeth. McCarthy would finish with 0-10 (0-6f, 2 65), while Aron Shanagher raised a green flag as the Banner ran out winners on a scoreline of 1-24 to 2-19.
In the third round of the Kehoe Cup, Carlow had five points to spare over Down at Abbottstown, while Kildare squeezed past Wicklow by the bare minimum courtesy of a free by
